RF cavities

The Diamond machine

The machine is an assembly of components used to produce, confine and maintain a high energy electron beam in a closed orbit for periods of several hours while the electrons produce synchrotron light for a wide variety of experiments.

Radiofrequency (RF) Cavity

As the electrons circulate around the storage ring they pass through the bending magnets and insertion devices, radiating energy in the form of synchrotron light. On each rotation the electron beam passes through a cavity containing electromagnetic fields oscillating at radio frequencies. This provides an energy boost which compensates for the energy losses, and to allows the beam to maintain a fixed orbit around the storage ring.